Touch Not!

Touch – to place the hand, finger, etc., on or in contact with something.

Have you ever wondered why certain things happen to you? Have you considered an easy answer to associate with those things that happen? While some answers are apparent, I have concluded that we will understand everything in eternity.

Here’s how the story pans out, as I recall. When GOD saved me at a very young age, it was a struggle just to learn how to walk upright. It was one thing to fall based on my choices and discretion, but it is another thing for someone to try and force you to fall.

My office was just across the hall from my supervisor, who was second in command. Adjacent to him was the first in command’s secretary. Of course, the first in command’s office was adjacent to his secretary. The first in command, I’ll call him Franz, managed a group of three small departments. Who, like Franz’s Dad, wouldn’t be proud of a child whose working career was at its prime and about to take off?

Franz’s Dad and mom visited often that year. I recall that they didn’t live in the same state, and I wondered why they were here so much. From day one, I was uncomfortable with the old man AND had reasons to be uncomfortable with him. Whenever they visited, I would make sure someone was around. It was strange working in an environment where breaks were taken at exactly 10 AM and 3 PM for 15 minutes, with 30 minutes for lunch. On this day, Dad showed up alone and at an hour when he knew all workers would be at their desks.

That’s right; Dad showed up, knowing Franz was not there. He walked into my office, closed my door, and attempted to have his way with me (if you know what I mean). He said, “Come on. Don’t act like you don’t know what it’s like.”

That old man threatened me, saying, “You better not yell, and if you don’t act right, I’ll make Franz fire you.” I fearedlosing my job, but my pride and dignity were much more important to me. I thought, Dude, I’m from the country, and how dare you think you are going to take me against my will. We scrapped like a cat and a dog would have. I don’t know how long I fought him, but the old man was exhausted and simply stopped. He was panting like an old beat-up racehorse with beads of sweat dripping from his face. When he backed off, he looked at me with such vicious hatred. I couldn’t help but imagine how my ancestors felt when their enslavers took them against their wills. It was clear to me in that moment that many of them died for standing up for their rights. Now I understand, I thought. When he left, I prayed, “Lord, I need my job. Don’t let me get fired because of this old man.”

It was a struggle not to hate my job after that. I did my work with excellence but was always afraid Dad would show up at any moment. Franz never mentioned the incident to me, and I never said anything to him about the incident, but from that day forward, I vowed to find another job.

One Monday morning, several weeks later, Mr. Second in Command came into my office and said, “Did you hear about Franz?” I wanted to say, hear what about Franz. It’s not like we’re buddies and hang out on weekends. How would I know anything about him? As you can see, I was still quite salty about what his Dad tried to do to me. So, I simply said, “No.”

He said, “Franz had a massive heart attack and died Saturday night.” I just looked at him, not knowing what to say. I wasn’t happy or sad, just shocked. So, I said nothing.

Later that week, Franz’s Dad came to clean out his office. While sitting at my desk, he walked in and looked at me. I braced myself, not knowing what he would say or do to me. I watched that broken old man cry for his son. When I say cry, I mean it was a gut-wrenching cry. He even said between sobs, “I don’t know why this has happened to me.”

I didn’t respond to him. I didn’t hug him. I didn’t do anything because I honestly didn’t know what to say or do. I just looked at him. He finally turned his back and left the room. I never saw him again after that day.

I Chronicles 16:22 and Psalms 105:15 – Saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.